Terry Bradshaw weighs in on the death of Shreveport physician Dr. Billy Bundrick
Louisiana Tech Hall of Famer and one of the most celebrated orthopedic physicians in the region, Dr. Billy Bundrick, has died.
A Shreveport native and Byrd graduate, Bundrick, 85, played football initially at Texas A&M before spending three seasons on the Bulldog football team, including serving as co-team captain his senior season.
“What a great doctor. My entire NFL career he was my doctor,” NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw told the USA TODAY Network. “He did my elbow, back, neck, you name it and he had a hand in getting me ready to play. He was such a great confidence booster, always telling me I would be ready to play, and he never charged me for a visit to his clinic, never.
“He always had a smile waiting on you. He would say when he saw me, ‘well let’s see what’s going on, which was funny to me. Oh, and he was never second-guessed by the Steelers’ doctors. That says it all. I’m so sad to know he has passed.”
Services are slated for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Shreveport’s Noel Memorial United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Max Zehner, Dr. Tom Harrison and Rev. James Davison III. A private burial will take place after the service.
“Dr. Bundrick was a big inspiration to me for so many years,” Louisiana Tech President Dr. Les Guice said. “I saw him give so much of himself to help others. As I progressed along my path as a student, professor and administrator at Tech, I could see more and more of the impacts he was having on people. He had a caring heart that we all admired.”
In addition to earning All-State football honors at Byrd, Bundrick played on the 1956 Byrd state championship baseball team and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He was a letter winner at Tech from 1957-59 and was instrumental in the Bulldogs going 9-1 and winning a conference championship during his tenure. He became a nationally known orthopedic surgeon, according to another Shreveport orthopedic surgeon Dr. Eddie Anglin.
“Dr. Bundrick dedicated his life to helping others, whether by performing surgery, providing scholarships or writing letters of recommendation,” Anglin said. “He wanted to give everyone a chance to be the best they could be.”
A graduate of LSU Medical School in New Orleans, Bundrick joined the Bone and Joint Clinic in Shreveport-Bossier City and has treated some of the country’s top athletes during his career, including Karl Malone and Terry Bradshaw.
“I strongly believe Dr. Bundrick was the top team doctor in the country among NCAA schools,” former Tech athletic director Jim Oakes said. “I cannot imagine another team doctor who did more for any athletic program than what Dr. Bundrick did for Louisiana Tech. He is a legend and will be sorely missed.”
A life-sized statue of Bundrick sits in front of the Louisiana Tech softball stadium, which is dedicated to him, thanks to a donation by the Karl Malone family.
After playing for the legendary Joe Aillet at Tech, Bundrick served as the team doctor for the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters from 1973 through 2013.
In addition to his work as a physician, Bundrick and his wife, Linda, were members of the Team Tech $1 Million Lifetime Giving Club, a lofty group of 15 couples. His other accolades include receiving the Louisiana Tech Alumnus of the Year (1980), the Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Life Sciences (1986), Centennial 100 Distinguished Alumni (1994) and Tower Medallion recipient (1995).
"Billy was a brilliant and talented doctor and surgeon dedicated to getting his patients well," said Ruston businessman and longtime Tech supporter James Davison. "He was a great friend to his alma mater, Louisiana Tech, with tireless service and financial support and a dear personal friend who will be missed."
He served as the University Foundation Board President (1981-83) and was a Privileged Director of the Foundation Board (1986-87). He received an honorary doctorate in 1984. Bundrick was a member of the Herodicus Society, an elite group of the original Sports Medicine Surgeons. Other members include Dr. James Andrews, world renowned sports medicine surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe, who developed the Tommy John procedure, and Dr. Robert Jackson, who developed orthopedic arthroscopic surgery in the Western World.
“Dr. Bundrick loved the FCA and was a big supporter of ours throughout the state,” Louisiana FCA director Terry Slack said. “He believed in our cause of taking Jesus onto school campuses to let the impact of Jesus happen around our city.”
Honoring Bundrick as pallbearers will be Stewart Beatty, Zackary Benson, James Davison III, William Davison, Spencer Dingler, Karl Malone, Wayne Smith, and Mackenzie Soul.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Eddie Anglin, James Davison, Jim Oakes, Perry Pringle, Rick Shirley, Michael Slaughter, Ivan Smith and Sam Wilkinson. In memory of Dr. Don H. Burt, Dr. Spiro Cosse, Royce “Spanky” McCoy, Richard “Skippy” Shirley and Mickey Slaughter.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Northwest Louisiana, P.O. Box 5118, Bossier City, La., 71171, Noel Memorial United Methodist Church, 520 Herndon St., Shreveport, La. 71101, or other charities of the donor’s choice.
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Terry Bradshaw weighs in on the death of Shreveport's Dr. Billy Bundrick
